N'-formylkynurenine, also known as 3-(2-formamidobenzoyl)alanine or 3-(n-formylanthraniloyl)-alanine, is a member of the class of compounds known as alkyl-phenylketones. Alkyl-phenylketones are aromatic compounds containing a ketone substituted by one alkyl group, and a phenyl group. N'-formylkynurenine is slightly soluble (in water) and a moderately acidic compound (based on its pKa). N'-formylkynurenine can be synthesized from kynurenine. N'-formylkynurenine can also be synthesized into 5-hydroxy-N-formylkynurenine. Within the cell, n'-formylkynurenine is primarily located in the cytoplasm (predicted from logP). N'-formylkynurenine exists in all eukaryotes, ranging from yeast to humans. In humans, n'-formylkynurenine is involved in the tryptophan metabolism. N'-formylkynurenine is an intermediate in the catabolism of tryptophan. It is a formylated derivative of kynurenine (Wikipedia). Plays an especially improtant role in photobiological responses. The excited states of N-formylkynurenine react to produce hydroxyl radicals..

Enzymes

Catalyzes the cleavage of L-kynurenine (L-Kyn) and L-3-hydroxykynurenine (L-3OHKyn) into anthranilic acid (AA) and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-OHAA), respectively. Has a preference for the L-3-hydroxy form. Also has cysteine-conjugate-beta-lyase activity.

Reactions

Catalyzes the hydrolysis of N-formyl-L-kynurenine to L-kynurenine, the second step in the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan degradation. Kynurenine may be further oxidized to nicotinic acid, NAD(H) and NADP(H). Required for elimination of toxic metabolites (By similarity).